| SB 0107 | Creates a statewide AMBER Alert program |
| Sponsor: | Bland | |||
| LR Number: | 0161S.03I | Fiscal Note: | 0161-03 | |
| Committee: | Pensions and General Laws | |||
| Last Action: | 01/21/03 - Hearing Conducted S Pensions & General Laws Committee | Journal page: | ||
| Title: | ||||
| Effective Date: | August 28, 2003 | |||
SB 107 - This act creates a statewide AMBER Alert Program. The Department of Public Safety (DPS) shall work in coordination with federal, state, local and media entities to develop a program to locate abducted persons.
A statewide "AMBER Alert Board" is created to aid in the implementation and operation of the Amber Alert Program. The Board shall consist of the coordinator of the Amber Alert Program, the Attorney General and representatives from each of the Amber Alert regions.
The state will be divided into regions and each region is a coordinated effort between federal, state and local law enforcement agencies and local media within the region. In the event that there is credible evidence that an abduction suspect has traveled or is traveling out of one AMBER jurisdiction, DPS will coordinate the activation of other AMBER Alerts in the vicinity where the abductor is thought to be heading.
If a location currently has an existing AMBER program operating as of the effective date of this act, it will be required to be compliant with the statewide program by January 1, 2004. The Department of Public Safety is authorized to make rules for the operation of the Amber Alert system.
An AMBER Alert Coordinator will be designated within the Department of Public Safety to coordinate the efforts among participating entities.
These provisions are similar to SB 30 and HB 185 (2003).
SARAH MORROW